Vortex tube manifold assembly



July 5, 1966 T. H. ENGLE 3,259,145

VORTEX TUBE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY Filed March 11. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 0 F2 I3 34 34a 4 I INVENTOR. THOMAS H. ENGLE BY ya 9w ATTORNEY FIG. 3

July 5, 1966 T. H. ENGLE VORTEX TUBE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed March 11. 1963 FIG-5 l l L INVENTOR. l2 THOMAS H. ENGLE ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,259,145 Patented July 5, 1966 3,259,145 VORTEX TUBE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY Thomas H. Engle, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Cleveland Technical Center, Inc. Filed Mar. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 272,174 (Filed under Rule 47(b) and 35 U.S.C. 118) 8 Claims. (Cl. 137-608) This invention relates generally to vortex tube apparatus, and more specifically to a novel and improved vortex tube manifold construction.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved vortex system which makes it possible to accommodate the vortex tube principle to a wide number of practical applications.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a vortex tube manifold assembly wherein a plurality of vortex tubes are connected in parallel and wherein the supply fluid for each tube can be selectively controlled to obtain an output at the desired temperature and flow rate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vortex tube manifold assembly having a modular construction which permits any number of vortex tubes to be connected in parallel to obtain a system of the desired capacity.

Still another object of the invention -is to provide a vortex tube manifold assembly having the characteristics described above which is of relatively simple construction and which is adapted to vortex tubes of conventional structure.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing objects are attained by a novel and improved assembly comprising a manifold body having a plurality of vortex tube mounting openings and fluid inlet and outlet passages formed in different portions of the body in communication with each opening. Preferably, the outlet flow passage is thermally insulated from the inlet passage in order to obtain optimum efliciency of the assembly.

A vortex tube mechanism, including an inlet nozzle and a cold flow outlet, is mounted in each opening of the manifold body so that the nozzle is in communication with the inlet passage and the cold outlet is in communication with the outlet passage. In this manner a supply gas can be manifolded into each vortex tube mechanism and the cold gas fraction from each mechanism can be manifolded into the common outlet passage.

Heretofore, practical applications of the vortex tube principle have been limited by the operating characteristics of the usual vortex tube. For example, as is known to those skilled in the art, the conventionally operating vortex tube often is not suited to a particular cooling application because a desired outlet flow rate and/or temperature of the cold gas fraction cannot be obtained. More particularly, when the conventional vortex tube is adjusted to obtain a desired outlet flow rate of cooled gas, the temperature of the gas may be so low that it cannot be used. Thus, at desired flow rates the temperature may be 30 F. or lower. Conversely, when the tube is adjusted to obtain cooled gas at a usable temperature, the flow rate either may be too low or too high.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems by providing a vortex tube manifold system in which the supply or inlet fluid can be controlled selectively to by-pas each of the several vortex tubes. In one disclosed arrangement, this control of the supply fluid is obtained through the use of by-pass valves which are arranged in the inlet passage upstream from each vortex tube nozzle. By simply adjusting these valves one or more of the vortex tubes can be cut off from the supply fluid in order to obtain a proper outlet flow rate from the manifold system.

The invention also contemplates constructing the manifold body to have a plurality of by-pass channels between the inlet and outlet passages, the by-pass channels being connected to the inlet passage through the several valves. The valves are selectively adjustable so that the supply fluid that would normally flow to one or more of the vortex tubes can be passed directly into the outlet flow passage. Thus, by mixing part of the supply fluid directly with the cold output from the vortex tubes and by cutting off one or more tubes from the supply fluid, it is possible to obtain a cold flow output from the system having the desired temperature, as well as flow rate.

Another feature of the invention resides in the construction of the manifold body a a modular unit, whereby several manifold bodies, each having the characteristics described above, can be assembled to provide a system incorporating any desired number of vortex tubes. In this arrangement the vortex tubes are in a plurality of rows, there being an inlet and outlet passage for each row. Preferably, main inlet and outlet passages are provided in the modular construction in communication with the passages of the several rows. Also, a single control valve is arranged in the main inlet passage for controlling the operation of the vortex tubes. By means of this modular arrangement, the invention makes it possible to provide a vortex system which can have any desired capacity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vortex tube manifold assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 1

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a portion of the manifold assembly taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view, partially in cross-section, ofstill another embodiment of the invention; and,

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6. 1

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. -14 in particular, a manifold assembly of :the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. As shown, the assembly 10 includes a manifold body 11 which has an inlet flow body portion 12 and a cold outlet flow body portion 13. Preferably, the manifold body portions 12 and 13 are separate members which are connected by any suitable means (not shown). In order to obtain eflicient operation of the assembly, it is also preferred to thermally insulate the cold body portion from the inlet body portion, as by using a thermal insulation gasket 14 between the two members or by forming the member 13 from a suitable thermally non-conductive material, such as nylon or the like. 1

The manifold assembly 10 further includes a plurality of spaced vortex tube mechanisms 20 which are mounted in the manifold body portion 12. These vortex tube mechanisms may be conventionally constructed to include tubes 21, each of which has an associated inlet nozzle 22' at one end and a cold flow outlet opening 23. Asis known to those familiar with the vortex cooling phenomenon, air or other gas is tangentially introduced into each tube 21 through the nozzle ports 24 to create a high speed vortex flow characterized by an axially moving shell of relatively hot air and a core of relatively colder air. Because of this action, two fractions of gas may be caused to issue from the tubes at temperatures above and below the temperature of the inlet or supply gas, the cold fraction being exhausted through the outlet 23 and the hot fraction from the end (not shown) of each tube opposite the outlet 23.

According to the illustrated construction, the inlet flow body portion 12 of the manifold assembly is formed to have a plurality of vortex tube mounting openings, each of which is defined by a bore and a recess or chamber 31. The vortex nozzles 22 are seated within the recesses or chambers 31 in spaced relationship to the recess walls, and the vortex tubes 21 extend through the bores 30.

The manifold body portion 12 also is formed to have an inlet flow passage 32 which is connected to each of the recesses or chambers 31 by branch passages 32a. This inlet passage 32 may be connected to a suitable source (not shown) of gas under pressure, such as a compressor or the like, by a conduit 33. The body portion 13 is similarly formed to have an outlet flow passage 34 which communicates with the tube outlets 23 through branch passages 34a. As shown, the cold gas fraction is exhausted from the outlet passage 34 by a conduit 35 which may be connected to any desired cooling structure or system.

In operation the supply gas flows through the inlet passage 32 to each of the vortex nozzles 22 and the cold output flow issuing from the several tubes is manifolded into the common outlet passage 34. Thus, the manifold assembly provided by the invention makes it possible to connect several vortex tube mechanisms in parallel to achieve the desired amount of cooling in any particular operation. While only two vortex tubes have been illustrated as being mounted in the body 11, it will be apparent that a greater number may be provided, if desired.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified arrangement of the structure described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4 wherein suitable valves are provided for by-passing one or more of the vortex tube mechanisms. According to this arrangement, a plurality of valves (only one of which is shown) which correspond in number to the vortex tube mechanisms 20 are rotatably disposed in the inlet passage 32 upstream from each of the vortex inlet nozzles 22. Each valve has a through bore 41 and a radial port 42. Preferably, the valves can be separately actuated by means (not shown) extending from the sides or ends of the manifold body.

When each of the valves 40 is in the illustrated position with the port 42 in registery with the branch passage 320, it will be seen that the supply gas in the inlet passage 32 may flow to the inlet nozzle 22 so that the operation of the assembly is the same as described above. However, by rotating the valves clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, the supply fluid will be prevented from entering the branch passages 32a so that the vortex tube mechanisms are completely by-passed. Thus, it will be seen that, by cutting off the supply fluid to one or more of the vortex tube mechanisms, it is possible to obtain different outlet flow rates which are best suited to any particular cooling operation.

As previously discussed, it is desirable in many applications to mix the inlet and outlet gases in order to obtain a particular outlet gas temperature from the vortex system. To this end, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown to include a by-pass channel or passage 43 formed in the manifold body 11a between the inlet passage 32 and the outlet passage 34. It will be understood that there is one by-pass channel for each vortex tube mechanism 20.

The several by-pass channels 43 are connected to the inlet passage through the valves 40. Thus, by adjusting one or more of the valves so that the ports 42 register with the associated by-pass channel, a portion of the supply fluid can be diverted directly into the outlet stream. Since the cold gas fraction issuing from the vortex tubes is at a lower temperature than the supply fluid, this adjustment makes it possible to obtain a higher temperature output than when all the tubes are in operation. Further, by combined adjustment of the several valves 40 so that one or more of the vortex tubes are completely cut off from the supply fluid and so that supply fluid flowing through one or more valves is passed directly into the outlet passage, it is possible to vary the cold gas flow rate and temperature over a wide operating range.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, several of the manifold bodies 11 are shown as being combined to form a modular manifold construction 50. In this arrangement the manifold bodies are detachably connected by any suitable means (not shown) so that the vortex tube mechanisms 20 are in rows. The inlet and outlet passages 32 and 34, respectively, of each body connect the several vortex tubes in each row.

The modular construction 59 further includes a member 51 which defines a main inlet passage 52 for supplying fluid to the passages 32. A similar member 53 is connected to the ends of the assembled manifold bodies opposite to the member 51 and defines a main outlet passage 54. As shown, the cold gas output from the vortex tube mechanisms is exhausted first into the several passages 34 and then into the main outlet passage 54.

A control valve is preferably provided in the main inlet passage 52 in order that the supply fluid can be cut off from the vortex tube mechanisms in one or more of the rows. In the form shown, the control valve 60 is comprised of a tube 61 which can be longitudinally reciprocated in the passage 52 by means of an extending handle 62. The tube 61 also is provided along its length with a plurality of spaced flanges which are in fluid sealing relationship with the inner walls of the member 51 and which define a plurality of spool portions 63a-e. Fluid openings 64 and 65 are formed through the wall of the tube 61 in the spool portions 63b and 63d, respectively.

When thevalve 60 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 6, the supply fluid is cut oif from all of the inlet passages 32 by the flanges of the tube 61. However, by pulling the valve to the left, the spool portion 63a will be moved to open the first inlet passage 32' and thereby admit supply fluid to the connected vortex tube mechanisms. Further movement of the control valve will place the passage 32; in communication with the spool portion 63b so that the supply fluid can flow through the opening 64 into the passage. The last row of vortex tube mechanisms can be rendered operative by moving the control valve 60 still further to the left until the spool portion 63d is in communication with the passage 32". In this third position of valve adjustment, supply fluid will be admitted to all of the vortex tubes so that the entire system is in operation.

As will be understood from the foregoing description of the modular manifold assembly 50, any number of manifold bodies can be arranged in the illustrated manner to provide a system having the desired output flow rate. Further, the several manifold bodies can be constructed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the output temperature of the modular system can be controlled.

Thus, it will be seen that the invention provides a manifold assembly which can be used advantageously to accommodate conventional vortex tube constructions to many different industrial applications. This versatile adaptation of the vortex tube is achieved in part by the novel construction of the manifold bodies whereby a modular assembly can be provided which includes as many vortex tubes as is required to produce a desired cold output flow capacity. Equally important, the output temperature and volume control which is afforded by use of the valves 40 and/or 60 makes it possible to combine a number of conventional vortex tubes into a system capable of producing cold flow at temperatures and flow rates that cannot be obtained with a single tube.

Many variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing detailed disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifi cally shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, the structure comprising a manifold body member including first and second portions, said first and second body portions being formed as separate members, said first portion of said body member having a plurality of spaced, vortex tube mounting chambers, an inlet passage in one portion of said body member connected to each of said chambers, and an outlet passage in said second portion of said body member connected to each of said chambers; and a plurality of vortex tube mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a tube having an inlet nozzle near one end portion for introducing gas into the tube to create a vortex flow, a first outlet in said one end portion for exhausting the cold gas component of the vortex flow and a second outlet spaced from said first outlet for exhausting the hot gas component of the vortex flow, each of said mechanisms having its one end portion seated in one of said chambers so that the inlet nozzle of the mechanism is in fluid communication with said inlet passage and said first outlet of the mechanisms is in fluid communication with said outlet passage.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said body member is thermally insulated from said second portion of said body member.

3. A modular manifold body for manifolding inlet and outlet flows of a plurality of vortex tubes comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of individual, detachably connected body sections;

(b) each of said body sections having first and second portions;

(c) a plurality of vortex tube mechanisms mounted in each section;

((1) each of said vortex tube mechanisms including:

(i) a tube,

(ii) a nozzle near one end portion of said tube for tangentially introducing a gas into the interior of said tube to create a vortex flow characterized by a cold gas component and by a hot gas component,

(iii) a first outlet in said one end portion of said tube for exhausting one of said gas components, and

(iv) a second outlet spaced from said first outlet for exhausting the other of said gas components;

(e) said body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;

(f) said inlet passage extending through said first portions of said body sections into communication with said nozzles of said vortex tube mechanisms; and

(g) said outlet passage extending through said second portions of said body sections into communication with said first outlets of said vortex tube mechanisms.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 including valve means in said inlet passage, said valve means being operable selectively to by-pass the vortex tube mechanisms mounted in said body sections.

5. A modular manifold body for manifoldin-g inlet and outlet flows of a plurality of vortex tubes comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of detachably connected manifold body sections;

(h) each of said body sections including:

(i) a first portion having a plurality of vortex tube mounting chambers,

(ii) a second portion having an outlet flow passage communicating with each of said chambers, and

(iii) an inlet flow passage in one of said portions communicating with each of said chambers;

(c) a plurality of vortex tube mechanisms;

((1) each of said vortex tube mechanisms including:

(i) a tube,

(ii) a nozzle near one end portion of said tube for tangentially introducing gas into the interior of said tube to create a vortex flow characteriZed by a cold gas component and a hot gas component,

(iii) a first outlet in said one end portion of said tube for exhausting one of said gas components,

(iv) a second outlet spaced from said first outlet for exhausting the other of said gas components;

(e) each of said vortex tube mechanisms being mounted in a body section with said one end portion of the mechanism sealed in a chamber so that the nozzle of the mechanism is in fluid communication with the inlet flow passage of the body section and so that the first outlet of the mechanism is in fluid communication with the outlet flow passage of the body section;

(f) said body having a main inlet passage communicating with said inlet flow passages of said body sections; and,

(g) said body having a main outlet passage communicating with said outlet flow passages of said body sections.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 including a valve in said main inlet flow passage, said valve being operable in one position to permit fluid flow into said inlet flow passages of each section and in another position selectively to prevent fluid flow into said inlet flow passages of said sections.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and second portion of each body section are thermally insulated from each other.

8. A vortex tube manifold assembly comprising in combination (a) a plurality of vortex tube mechanisms;

(b) each of said vortex tube mechanisms including:

(i) a tube,

(ii) a nozzle near one end portion of said tube for tangentially introducing gas into the interior of said tube to create a vortex flow characterized by a cold gas component and a hot gas component,

(iii) a first outlet in said one end portion of said tube for exhausting one of said gas components, and

(iv) a second outlet spaced from said first outlet for exhausting the other of said gas components;

(0) said vortex tube mechanisms being arranged in a plurality of rows with at least two mechanisms disposed in each such row;

(d) structure defining an inlet passage extending along each of said rows into communication with the nozzles of the vortex tube mechanisms in that row;

(e) structure defining an outlet flow passage extending along each row in communication with said first outlets of the vortex tube mechanisms in that row;

(f) structure defining a main inlet passage communicating with said inlet passages of said rows;

(g) structure defining a main outlet passage communicating with said outlet flow passages of said rows; and

(h) a control valve in said main inlet passage selectively operable to admit fluid to the inlet flow passage of each of said rows.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Shimerda 137596.12 Barrett 138-42 X 5 Waterman 137596.12 X Green 625 X Green 62136 Green 625 8 Green 62-5 Fleming 137--608 Tilden 625 Shackson 625 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Examiner.

S. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, THE STRUCTURE COMPRISING A MANIFOLD BODY MEMBER INCUDING FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND BODY PORTIONS BEING FORMED AS SEPARATE MEMBERS, SAID FIRST PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED, VORTEX TUBE MOUNTING CHAMBERS, AN INLET PASSAGE IN ONE PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS, AND AN OUTLET PASSAGE IN SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS; AND A PLURALITY OF VORTEX TUBE MECHANISMS, EACH OF SAID MECHANISMS INCLUDING A TUBE HAVING AN INLET NOZZLE NEAR ONE END PORTION FOR INTRODUCING GAS INTO THE TUBE TO CREATE A VORTEX FLOW, A FIRST OUTLET IN SAID ONE END PORTION FOR EXHAUSTING THE COLD GAS COMPONENT OF THE VORTEX FLOW AND A SECOND OUTLET SPACED FROM SAID FIRST OUTLET FOR EXHAUSTING THE HOT GAS COMPONENT OF THE VORTEX FLOW, EACH OF SAID MECHANISMS HAVING ITS ONE END PORTION SEATED IN ONE OF SAID CHAMBERS SO THAT THE INLET NOZZLE OF THE MECHANISM IS IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID INLET PASSAGE AND SAID FIRST OUTLET OF THE MECHANISM IS IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE. 